Chapter 3: A Terrific Trio

We had to camp out a night on the way to Viridian city. We both took shifts keeping guard, making sure that there were no attackers. The reason for this is because everyone who was not a part of either team was attacked, in an effort to force people to join teams. The only safe place was Pallet town, my hometown, but that was only because I was there. I was sure that my mother would take it soon enough, as she already had most of what is now known as Kanto. The only safe place for members of Team Brawn was Cinnabar Island, which acted as a port and a military base. Blaine is a Fire type Pokemon trainer who served as a Team Brawn admin at the island, and fended off all attacks from Team Brains, and attacks came often.

I was on guard when dawn arrived. "I'm exhausted!" Brandy noted. "Can't we just sleep for a few more hours?"

"Get used to it!" I fired back. "We will be sleeping about five hours a day each until we have a few more people traveling with us." Although I meant what I said, I too was exhausted. We either needed to hire someone to keep guard for us, or have our Pokemon help, but that would not be fair. Our Pokemon were already putting their lives on the line for us, we could not ask them to be on duty 24/7. Still, Brandy continued to complain.

"My feet hurt… Let's take a break… I'm hungry…" It felt like it would never end. That is until suddenly, as we were walking my Snivy sensed something.

"Sni, sni snivy" It said.

I replied, "What is it Snivy? Is there something wrong?" Suddenly, Snivy used its Leaf Tornado on the bushes to the right of us, and it was revealed that a Grunt was lying there. He had black hair with a gray streak. He was visibly older than us, probably in his late 40s, with an average build. He appeared to be about 5' 10", but could have been taller. He did not exactly have a big demeanor. His blue eyes were full of fear, not what I expected. I immediately asked him, "What do you want with us? What team are you a part of. Go, Abra!" I figured I might need Abra in a battle with him. I wanted to be ready. "You too Brandy, send out your Makuhita."

"Okay then, go BULBASAUR." She said.

"Really" I replied. She just stuck out her tongue at me.

"You two are foolish. Why would you even resist the power of Team Brains. Our goal is to bring unity to the world through reasoning. We are not barbarians like Team Brawns. Why resist when you can join the noble cause." He said. It was all jargon to me. His voice was raspy, as if he had lived in a volcano for half of his life. Though it also had a certain charm to it that made you feel welcome.

"How is it a noble cause if you have to use force to obtain recruits? Why is there the need for Grunts if it is such a noble cause. And why do you rely on mind control if it is such a noble cause? The few will benefit from Team Brains system, not the many. You will be the first Grunt I take down, and you won't be the last."

"Very well then, then I Grunt Sam, will take down your team. Gastly, help me out." A weak battle cry. He might as well have been a robot.

"Brandy, I will take this one, as both of your pokemon are weak against Gastly. Abra, use Double Team, followed by Psybeam." I knew Ghost type attacks would be super effective against Gastly was also a Poison type, so Psybeam would be strong against Gastly. The Double Team was to avoid any Ghost type attacks. I was in for a surprise though.

"Gastly, use Curse to notch it down a peg." My nostrils flared as I heard his command. I knew it would dwindle down Abra's health, but it hurt Gastly as well. It was not a smart move, which is ironic for a member of Team Brains. I knew I could take him down quickly now.

"Abra, keep composure. Use Psybeam, and make sure it hits." Abra was precise with its beam, and took down Gastly. Abra Winced as the Curse took effect, but then Gastly fainted. "Now Abra, free him."

"Free him from what?" Brandy said. I just shook my head. Her ignorance bothered me at times, but her heart was there. Suddenly, Sam looked like he was confused. He started to speak.

"I'm sorry I attacked you. Thank you for freeing me. What is your name?"

"Wyatt."

"Ah. Well I can't thank you enough Wyatt. But why did you free me? I'm smart enough to know that you aren't members of Team Brawns, not only do you not have the uniform, but you have a Psychic type Pokemon. What is your objective sonny?"

"We are trying to take down Team Brains and Team Brawns. We just started our journey together yesterday!" Brandy chimed in. "You want to help us?"

"Oh hello miss, I did not even notice you were there before, as your friend did all of the work." He replied. Brandy nearly fell to the ground in embarrassment. "Anyways, I would love to come and help you, now that I am free from that awful mind control."

"We don't need your help. For all I know you could be a spy, or an Admin." I scoffed.

"What do you think you are going to take down two armies by yourself? You must be crazy sport. You need help, and I can recruit people for opperations. You may be smart, but you can't do much by yourself. Also, I'm a pretty mean chef if I do say so myself."

"SOLD!" Said Brandy.

I turned to Abra. I wanted to make sure that he was truly free. Abra gave me the signal. "Fine. You may come." I added with hesitation.I didn't want to eat berries every day until the war ended. "Do you have any internal intelligence that you can offer?"

"Like they tell the Grunts anything. Just beware of Master Athena's, I mean Athena's Hypno. Sorry, I am used to calling her master."

"Good to know. Is your name really Sam? Or was that a name given to you by Team Brains?"

"Well my real name is Samuel. Samuel Oak. Now why don't we head out now!"